Chalk Talk - July 8, 2015 | Sequim Gazette

HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Gail Kite’s fifth-graders wrote letters to future Haller-fifth graders. Below are some excerpts from their letters:

“My favorite part of fifth grade is … ”

Earlier this year I was the second-place chess club champion. Though, I am kind of glad the first-place champion beat me. It gives me a chance to learn. Blake Terry

The best thing in fifth grade for some people is coming into the classroom at the beginning of the year and seeing their future with Miss Kite. Miss Kite is a great teacher and you all will have a great year. My favorite part of the year was making all sorts of new friends. Now, if you think fifth grade is hard, it’s not. It’s not easy either. Miss Kite makes it medium. Jadon Cass

Fifth grade is especially harder than fourth grade. But, it’s fun too! My teacher was Miss Kite. The art projects she found were really fun and adorable. For example, we made Christmas cards out of music sheets! We had a red card, then we cut out trees from the music sheets and then we put a little bird in the tree and wrote, “Merry Christmas” in cursive. It was lovely. Madison McKeown

The cool thing is you get to do a lot more things in fifth grade. In our classroom science days, you get to do a lot of cool experiments. Our class did an experiment to see whether we liked sweet or sour gum. We also don’t have to help the first-graders around on field day. You also get a chance to do Math Olympiad. This is a competition between Washington school districts. Fifth grade is really fun. Brandon Charters

“The most challenging part about fifth grade is … ”

The most challenging thing is being the biggest in the school. You are the biggest, so everybody looks up to you. You are role modeling for the other kids. Also, you don’t want to make mistakes and if you do, the other kids do what you do. Fifth grade can be complicated sometimes. Just know you will get through it. Just work, work, work and do your best. Whatever you do, there will be hard times and bumps in the road. But you will get through it. Olivia Owen

“The most challenging subject is, of course, math. Let me tell you, the fractions and all the math you do in fourth grade gets harder by 100 percent. Oh, and social studies gets really complicated. You study Native Americans, Europeans and the Revolutionary War (patriots and loyalists). Emma Wyant

The most challenging thing about fifth grade is keeping you and your friends together for as long as possible. If you ever need help, go to Mrs. Trindle’s office. Another thing is math. Math is a struggle for me sometimes, but I learned that you should never shut down or give up! Hannah Taylor

One of the most challenging things in fifth grade is the math we do here. I don’t mean to make you nervous, but there’s geometry, fractions, order of operations, and of course, decimals. But I am sure that you will eventually get the hang of it.” Rayn Adams

OLYMPIC PENINSULA ACADEMY

The annual Celebration of Learning was held in June, just before the school year ended. This was a culmination of the entire school year’s work and achievements by students.

Student work was displayed throughout OPA classrooms and students were stationed at their display boards to answer questions and share their passion and determination with which they approached a massive research assignment.

Sixth- through eighth-grade students had displays and presentations about a career and its relationship to U.S. history, including an APA-formatted report, a brochure, an artifact/object related to the career and a brief presentation (often accompanied by a PowerPoint and/or a presentation board).

Fifth-grade students had displays about a culture from ancient history, along with artifacts and replicas. There also were presentations by science students and our elementary students.

SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL

Teachers made their nominations for May Students of the Month based on the characteristics of friendliness and good-naturedness.

These characteristics are exhibited through these behaviors: smiling, greeting others and showing goodwill to others.

The following students were recognized as May Students of the Month:

Kate D’Amico, Joie Darminio, Caleb DeMott, Jessica Dietzman, Emily Dodson, Io Dressel, Isabella Fazio, Tommy Hall, Trinity Henderson, Carson Holt, Thomas Hughes, Brylee Morgan, Chloe Morton, Madison Murphy, Devyn Nordlie, Joey Oliver, Ashley Pritchett, Corey Reeves, Emma Sharp, Sage Shields, Meguire Vander Velde, Shaylnn Weis, Blake Wiker and Keith Wilwert.

For the final time this school year, the Science Department would like to showcase the following students as “Catalysts” for Term 4.

A catalyst in a science classroom consistently displays an exceptional level of participation.

They are curious and questioning. They ask those thought-provoking inquiries which extend understanding.

They are engrossed and engaged.

They clearly and accurately share their observations, both verbally and in writing.

They are analytical and articulate.

Catalysts are the sparks which ignite learning!

In sixth grade, teacher Isabella Morrison celebrates the accomplishments of Ryan Porter, Gavin Conway, Douglas Crabb, Sumer Deol, Truman Nestor, Irina Roybal, Trevin Oakes, Zoe Zimmerman and Catherine Najera.

Teacher Steve Koehler recognizes Taylor Coleman, Amanda Weller, Oscar Walchenbach, Chloe Morton, Jessica Asselin-Old Chief and Gwendolyn Frick.

For seventh grade, teacher Joe Landoni tips his hat to Autumn Hilliard, Navy Thomas-Brenske, Meguire Vander Velde, Angel Servin, Eva Lofstrom, Adam Awawda, Mikayla Geniesse, Keith Wilwert, Jesse Bobst and Victoria Lelle.

Teacher Phil Zarelli gives a standing ovation to Kaemon Marshall, Regan DeMetz, Jasmine Chaussee and Iain Thill.

For eighth grade, teacher Marcia Garrett salutes Derartu Francis, Mathew Fowler, Blake Wiker, JJ Brow, Madison Nute, Ashley Pritchett, Asia Sebastian, Amanda Wiggins, Hannah Collins, Damien Cundiff, Jazen Bartee, Riley Martin, Tayler Breckenridge and Ian Parker.

Finally, teacher Debra Beckett applauds Lillyan Paulson, Joey Oliver, Alyssa Lowe–Little and Josie Meyer and in her Science and Engineering Teams Class, Jakob King and Nick Gaylord.